How Driving Distractions Make Car Accidents and Injuries More Likely To Occur

Distracted driving is a leading cause ofcar accident and injuries in Illinois and throughout the country. Even something as simple as eating fast food, reaching for items in your car, or checking your appearance in the rearview mirror is enough to divert your attention from the road in front of you, putting you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.

The Impact Of Distracted Driving

Statistics from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that as many as nine people are killed as the result of distracted driving accidents each day in the U.S., while more than 1,000 others suffer serious and potentially debilitating injuries. Any activity you engage in behind the wheel that takes your focus off driving could increase your risk for car accidents and injuries. According to the CDC, the following are the three main types of driving distractions:

Visual distractions: These include anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road, such as watching children, staring at surroundings outside the car, or looking at GPS directions.

Manual distractions: These involve activities that cause you to remove your hands from the wheel, such as reaching for items in the front or back seat or changing the radio station.

Cognitive distractions: This includes anything that diverts your thoughts from the task of driving, such as thinking about past or future activities, talking to passengers, or simply not paying attention.

Texting, making calls, taking pictures, and checking social media while driving is particularly dangerous, as these involve all three types of driving distractions. As a result, using cellphones or other handheld devices while driving is illegal in Illinois and in other states throughout the country.

Tips For Avoiding Common Driver Distractions

To avoid behaviors that could put you at risk for distracted driving accidents, theIllinois State Police offer the following tips:

Ditch your phone. In addition to being illegal, using a cellphone behind the wheel increases your risk of being in a car accident by 400 percent. If you need to make a call, pull over somewhere safe.

Avoid multi-tasking. Keep your attention focused on driving. Adjust your appearance once you get to your destination, and refrain from eating or drinking behind the wheel.

Pull over for children. If you need to attend to a crying baby or a hungry child, pull over first.

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